They were granted a city charter from the Illinois state legislature in December 1840, which included authorization to found a university.
[1] The University of Nauvoo ended after the 1844 murder of Joseph Smith, when the interest of many church leaders moved toward westward migration.
We hope to make this institution one of the great lights of the world, and by and through it, to diffuse that kind of knowledge which will be of practical utility, and for the public good, and also for private and individual happiness.
[3] The school drew interest from leaders and educators from the LDS community and the areas of Nauvoo, western Illinois, and southeastern Iowa.
Nauvoo University expected more retired professors would to come to teach in the city and local church members would assist in its beginnings.